THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local people are up in arms again with the state government reportedly assuring the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to expedite acquisition of around 18 acres land near Enjackal side for the construction of the new terminal building of Thiruvananthapuram airport. While official sources said that many of the residents of the locality were already willing to give their land and only a section with vested interests were opposed to it, leaders of an action council said that the present demand for more land was against an earlier assurance given by the government and AAI while acquiring land for the present international terminal building construction.
A meeting of action council leaders, representatives of local resident’s associations and community organisations here on Sunday decided to hold a public convention on July 31 to stage protests against the land acquisition moves. Representations would also be given to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others concerned, said the action council chairman Saiffudin Hajji. Chackai councillor and CPM local leader K Sreekumar said that the present demand for land was unwanted as already a domestic terminal existed on the Shanghumugham side.
“The Chief Minister had directed officials to hold discussions with the local people before acquiring the land,” he said. While official sources maintained that many owners of the land in the 18 acres identified for acquisition had expressed willingness to give their land, the action council leaders said that only those having vacant areas had expressed their willingness to give land. “Around 100 families are staying in the 18 acres and none of them are willing to vacate,” said Mr. Saiffuddin.
He said that while acquiring 27 acres from the public in 1999-2000 for the construction of the present international terminal building at Chackai, the government and AAI officials had assured that no more land would be acquired for further development of the airport. The present move is against that assurance, he said.
AAI is planning to construct a 40,000 square-metre terminal building in the 18 acres to be acquir-ed. It would be an extension of the existing international terminal building and all domestic international services will be operated from the proposed integrated terminal.
Meanwhile, there were allegations that a section which is opposed to shifting the terminal from the Shanghumugham side was triggering the protest against land acquisition at the Enjackal side with the motive of torpedoing the new terminal plans. However, the action council leaders denied such allegations.
Drinking water fountains replace disposable cups
In a bid to ensure hygiene and reduce the use of disposable cups, drinking water fountains have been installed at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.
Drinking water fountains from which one can drink water directly without using a cup have been installed at nine locations in the international terminal, replacing the conventional drinking water coolers and dispensers.
A newly-installed drinking water fountain at Thiruvananthapuram international airport. (Photo: DC)
Thiruvananthapuram airport director Geroge G Tharakan said that on an average about one lakh disposable cups were required at the airport every month. “Apart from avoiding littering of the airport premises with used cups, the water fountains also ensure hygiene, reduce water wastage and save cost on disposable cups. The drinking water fountain also forms part of the green initiatives at the airport premises,” he said. The drinking water fountains, manufactured by a US-based firm, have been installed at a cost of '25 lakhs.
